The Reds moved within two points of the top four with a hugely impressive 2-0 win at fellow challengers Southampton.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers celebrates at the end of the match (Photo: Images via Reuters / John Sibley)

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Brendan Rodgers saluted a “huge win” and urged Liverpool to use the experience of last season’s run-in to chase down Champions League qualification.

The Reds moved within two points of the top four with a hugely impressive 2-0 win at fellow challengers Southampton.

After Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring with a wonderful third-minute strike, the visitors withstood strong pressure before Raheem Sterling settled the game 17 minutes from time.

Three of Liverpool’s next five games are against teams above them in the table, with home clashes against Manchester City and United followed by a trip to Arsenal.

And Rodgers said: “For us, today was a big step. It was a huge win.

“To go two points behind (the Champions League places), considering the start that we had, it really shows the consistency of the players.

“We will use the experience of last year during the run-in, when we had a lot of young players who coped with it really well.

“Hopefully we can keep the mentality, keep the focus and keep the performance level.”

Liverpool have taken 24 points from the last 30, with Rodgers regarding their latest triumph as just as impressive as the 3-0 win at St Mary’s last March.

“To win here at any time is always a good victory, but to do it on the back of a tough European game in midweek and to not concede and score two goals really shows the level the players are working at,” added the Reds boss.

“This is as good a win if not better than the one we had last year, when we played very, very well.

“We were very controlled and you have to defend at times, particularly away from home against a very good side.

“It was a wonderful win with two wonderful goals, different types of goals and defensively we were very strong.”

Rodgers praises 'excellent' referee Friend for getting most of the decisions right.

Philippe Coutinho opened the scoring for Liverpool

Liverpool rode their luck at times, with Southampton having strong claims for penalties in the first half when Filip Djuricic was challenged by Emre Cahn and then Joe Allen , and when the ball later struck Dejan Lovren on the arm.

Referee Kevin Friend also waved play on when Simon Mignolet inadvertently handled outside the area, but Rodgers moved to defend the official.

“The first one wasn’t a penalty,” he said. “The player has fallen over far too easily in the box, he just had slight contact with Can and fell over.

“I can see why there was a claim when Joe doesn’t get contact with the ball. The player chests it and the ball is getting away from him and maybe the referee sees the player lean into Joe before Joe swings and doesn’t get contact with the ball.

“I thought the referee was excellent and the pressure he was under from the crowd made them all big decisions for him. In the main, he got them right.

“We had one penalty claim where Fonte gets the ball but pulls down Raheem first. Sometimes you get them.”